Volume 6 1939~1941


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 219 NAI DFA Washington Embassy Confidential Reports 1940

Extract from a confidential report from Robert Brennan to Joseph P. Walshe
(Dublin)
(108/60/40)

Washington, 9 July 1940

The general opinion here is that the Nazis will invade England and defeat her. This is regretted on all sides as a major disaster for Europe, for the democratic form of Government and for civilization. There is a constant speculation as to what is to happen the British Fleet, and a real fear for America if it should fall into German hands. Realization that America can do little or nothing to stave off this catastrophe is causing tremendous anguish.

Under the circumstances it is natural that the public mind should be tremendously interested in the question of defense. This atmosphere is reflected in Congress where appropriations for defense are passed in bewildering succession of larger and larger estimates.

[matter omitted]